with flint @ - @ lock mechanisms . such weapons produced a low rate of fire , while suffering from a high rate of failure and were only accurate within 50 metres ( 160 ft ) . these def ##iciencies may have initially given the ab ##ori ##gin ##es an advantage , allowing them to move in close and engage with spears or clubs . yet by 1850 significant advances in firearms gave the europeans a distinct advantage , with the six @ - @ shot colt revolver , the s ##ni ##der single shot bree ##ch @ - @ loading rifle and later the martini @ - @ henry rifle , as well as rapid @ - @ fire rifles such as the winchester rifle , becoming
with flint @ - @ lock mechanisms. such weapons produced a low rate of fire, while suffering from a high rate of failure and were only accurate within 50 metres ( 160 ft ). these deficiencies may have initially given the aborigines an advantage, allowing them to move in close and engage with spears or clubs. yet by 1850 significant advances in firearms gave the europeans a distinct advantage, with the six @ - @ shot colt revolver, the snider single shot breech @ - @ loading rifle and later the martini @ - @ henry rifle, as well as rapid @ - @ fire rifles such as the winchester rifle, becoming